Redemption: Art Meets Fashion 2011

Isn’t it funny how sometimes in life we come full circle?

 

Most of you may not know this about me but when I was 17 years old I was accepted to and studied at FIDM: the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles. <!–more–>Due to financial restrictions I was unable to finish, but I had dreamt my whole life that I was going to be a fashion designer. I was extremely disappointed and felt like a failure, but now I know perhaps it was meant to be and that was not the path I was supposed to go down at that moment.

 

Years passed and I would still try every so often to revive that passion, never quite inding that “It-factor” for myself. After LA, I moved back home, discouraged, and started my college education at the University of Utah. I am going to be honest and say I was a terrible student, moving from department to department, from costume design to sculpture art. Finally, I ended up dropping out for good. It was difficult working a full time job with full time credits, especially in the art program. I have a slight confession, and if the professors remember me, I just left. I had a locker with tools and supplies but I didn’t come back to pick up anything. I abandoned it all. Probably not the best thing to do at that time but I couldn’t face failure again.

 

What was more important than school at that time? Well by chance, I began working at a wholesale floral company and started playing with flowers, with no agenda for the future. That was my introduction to floral design and soon became my passion and a much-needed outlet for creativity. In the late 90’s, I found myself working in the industry and fell madly in love with Clinton Lewis. In May 2001 we married, and started Orchid Dynasty together.

 

Thanks to Art Meets Fashion Directors, Heidi M. Gress and Anne Cummings-Anderson of (a)perture Marketing for this wonderful opportunity. This past fall, on Saturday, October 15 at Art Meets Fashion 2011, I walked out on the runway to fulfill my childhood dream while incorporating all my passions. It was quite emotional for me and I realized that it’s taken me 17 years to embrace and accept my potential.

 

I designed six original floral gowns for the show, with each gown styled from entirely organic and fresh elements, that were presented at the Art Meets Fashion fashion show .

 

The show was a great success, and I am so excited for Art Meets Fashion 2012.

Thanks to:
Brenna Quan AIFD, Derek Perry, Kelly Neal, Matt Keo, Garrett Soong, Jee In Kim, Lauren Brady,
Gabbi Gabbitas, My wonderful husband Clint and son Jin. Heggy Gonzalez MUA

 

Models:
Jaime Lynn, Emily Preib, Ashlyn Ashby, Ashlyn Cardoza, Alfreda Tsai, Mae Ling Lewis